Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of cardiac disease often associated with cardiac failure, occurring in late pregnancy or after childbirth. In this qualitative study, the narratives revealed that the onset and occurrence of symptoms was like, an invasion of body by symptoms with a feeling of helplessness. It was like being caught in a spider web. The findings from this small study, broaden our understanding of the hardship and personal suffering, the women with PPCM experienced.

A systematic review of 22 reviews map the risks for mother and fetus/baby, in pregnant women with obesity compared to pregnant women with a healthy weight. Women with obesity need support to lose weight before they conceive, and to minimize their weight gain in pregnancy.

The aim of the MiMO-study (midwifery model of woman-centred care) is to evaluate and assess the feasibility of a model of woman-centred care provided by midwives during childbirth in Swedish and Icelandic delivery wards.

The model has been developed based on many years of cooperation between Olof Asta Olafsdotter in Iceland, Marie Berg and Ingela Lundgren in Sweden. Using a hermeneutic approach the model was developed based on a synthesis of findings from 12 of own published qualitative studies about women´s and midwives´ experiences of childbirth. For validity testing, the model was assessed in focus group interviews with practicing midwives (Berg,Olafsdottir & Lundgren, 2012). The model includes five main themes. Three central intertwined themes are: a reciprocal relationship; a birthing atmosphere; and grounded knowledge. The remaining two themes, which likewise influence care, are the cultural context (with hindering and promoting norms); and the balancing act involved in facilitating woman-centred care.

A mixed method design will be used with both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The photo shows Olof Asta Olafsdotter, Marie Berg and Ingela Lundgren

The study started in January 2015 at Sahlgrenska University hospital (SU), Gothenburg, Sweden and at the Reykjavik University hospital, Iceland, and will be carried out until April 2016. The intervention at SU is carried out in one of three labour wards, comprising for each midwife one educational day and six sessions of reflection in group

The photo shows midwives from the intervention labour ward discussing the practical implications of the model together with Christina Nilsson, one of the MiMo researchers.

A delivery room within a hospital setting is the most common place for women to give birth in Western countries today. Most women have positive experiences of giving birth. However, for some women, childbirth is an experience similar to their worst imaginable nightmare, and affects them in such a way that they become filled with fear of forthcoming births. Research shows that main factors for experiencing birth as negative are often related to the care. Therefore, it is important to critically evaluate care given to those women during childbirth.

The aim of this new publication from the Childbirth Research Group was to obtain a deeper understanding of the women’s negative experiences in the delivery room. The study is based on original data from three qualitative studies on 21 Swedish women’s experiences of fear of childbirth.

Focus for the hermeneutic analysis was on the women’s descriptions of their previous negative birth experiences. The concepts of “surveillance”, as described by Foucault, and “suffering,” as described by Eriksson were used to attain a profounder understanding of the women’s experiences.

For these women, the delivery room was not a safe place. On the contrary, it was a place creating fear of childbirth. The interpretation showed that the women were objects of surveillance, and they endured suffering related to the care during childbirth. The conclusions were that to avoid negative birth experiences and future fear, women must be offered not only medical, but also emotional and existential safety in the delivery room.

The Childbirth Research Group has had intensive and creative work with support from Prof Cecily Begley. On Tuesday 21st October, the group met for a whole day of discussions on strategic planning for research. Prof Begley presented the compilation of research outputs achieved by the group in the five-year period 2010-2014. Final additions will be made to the table at the end of the year and the implementation of the next five-year strategic plan will then commence in January 2015. (mer…)

A new educational film about the management of second stage of labor in normal childbirth has been produced at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences. The film is the result of an educational development project.(mer…)

The occurrence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries has increased in Sweden during the last twenty years. From women’s point of view, the experience of sustaining a sphincter injury during childbirth appears to be a complex phenomenon that affects them both physiologically and psychologically and alters their understanding of their identity as sexual beings. (mer…)

Studentlitteratur (a Swedish publishing agency) has recently published a new book called ”The Midwife’s work at a Normal Child Delivery – Research and Experience” (Barnmorskans handläggning vid normal förlossning – forskning och erfarenhet). The authors of the book are Helena Lindgren, Associate Professor (docent) at Sahlgrenska Academy, Ingela Wiklund, Associate Professor (docent) at the Karolinska Insitutet and Chair of the Swedish Association of Midwifes and Margareta Rehn, operative Midwife and editor of the magazine Jordemoder. (mer…)

About childbirthresearch.se

This blog focuses on childbirth research conducted at University of Gothenburg and around getting research into policy and practice.

Our objective is to initiate scientific debates about research in this area. ‘’Childbirth’’ is defined as the period covering pregnancy, labor and birth, and the first year post pregnancy.

We encourage you to comment on our blog entries and join us in what will hopefully be an engaging and lively community discussion around childbirth research, and around getting research into practice and policy based practice promoting health for both women, mothers, their babies and families.

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